After the 1st stage selections were
announced at Digimon Con last month, we have the winners of the
Digimon Illustration Competition!
A page was put up to announce the winners, along with various comments. They're being included as is minus very minor typo fixes in the translation.
Images on the page are smaller embeds that link to the full size ones when clicked.
First is the organizers comment.
Thank you very much to everyone who participated in the 「Digimon Illustration Competition」.
Through the entries, we were able to see your deep understanding of the Digimon series and your love for the characters.
All of us on the judges are very pleased.
We are pleased to announce the "Grand Prize," "Second Prize," and "Judges’ Special Prize," which were selected from among the many entries received in both Japan and the United States.We hope you will look forward to seeing the 8 works selected as the "Grand Prize" and "Second Prize" winners, which will be used in the "Digimon Card Game" and will be distributed as promotional packs starting in the summer of 2022.
The organizers will continue to work on projects that more people can enjoy in the future, and we look forward to your continued patronage of the Digimon series.
-Digimon Illustration Competition Organizers
Then we have the grand prize winner!
lily tale
by poroze
Winners' comments
Thank you very much for this honorable award. I am very happy to have been able to contribute to one of the charms of Digimon, which I have loved since childhood. I will make the most of this experience and devote myself to creating more attractive illustrations. Thank you very much.
Judge's comment
It was a beautiful piece of work, with images of the characters filling the entire screen. It was different from other works and very original in its expression in Digimon. I thought this work was really nice because I usually draw to put together a designed picture rather than a realistic one myself.
-Mr. Kenji Watanabe
This work depicts Lilimon, a Digimon born from flowers, in a unique composition and manner of expression. The whimsy and charm of the character of a young girl in the midst of it are also fully depicted.
-Mr. Masashi Harada
All of the points in the judging criteria were met at a high level, and the use of color and composition are also excellent. I could feel the story within the illustration and was surprised at the overwhelming degree of perfection as a work of art.
-Mr. Makoto Takahashi
The vivid color expression based on pink, the character color of Lilimon, is wonderful. The design with the evolutionary process in the background was also playful and interesting.
-Digimon Ghost Game Production Staff
The theme of "Pixie Digimon, Lilimon” and “plants” in an artistic layout and taste match the theme of the composition. It is a wonderful work of originality and design, and it depicts these elements with high quality. The strong impact of the work, which is unforgettable at first sight, is also a point of appreciation.
-Digimon Card Game R&D Team
The illustrations in this year's competition covered all of the criteria. It had an overwhelming presence as a single picture. I was impressed by the power of the artist to bring out the best of Lilimon's glamour.
-Mr. Yosuke Kinoshita
After the grand prize are the various second prize winners.
Pepper Breath Training
by Gosha
Winners' comments
I've been a US-based fan since 1999. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase various illustration styles you wouldn’t normally see in the card game. I'm thankful to be selected!
Judge's comment
We appreciated the originality and novelty of the taste that stood out among the many Agumon entries, as well as the layout composition of the elements depicted in the background. I am excited to imagine this Agumon made into a card and appearing on the board.
-Digimon Card Game R&D Team
Patamon is eating an apple
by mojuke
Winners' comments
Digimon has been my favorite since I was a child. Of all of them, Patamon is my favorite, so I'm really happy to have won an award for Patamon! Thank you very much!
Judge's comment
I had not seen many Patamon eating apples, so I was very pleased with the conception of the theme. Also, the expressions on their faces when they were eating the apples with relish were adorable. I could feel the author's love for Patamon from her work.
-Digimon Ghost Game Production Staff
Two scenic flights
by YAMURETSU
Winners' comments
I drew many Digimon as a child and dreamed of adventures as a DigiDestined child with these children. As I grew up, I felt as if the Digivice had finally come to me. I'm so glad I didn't give up!
Judge's comment
This work's charm is the fantastic world, dynamic composition, and unique touch. I felt Terriermon's relaxed image and strength seeing Terriermon holding Kokomon.
-Mr. Masashi Harada
peach
by 61
Winners' comments
Thanks to Digimon, I have met many friends, connected solid bonds, and left behind precious memories. Digimon is a wonderful thing that gives me courage and fun, and I hope it will continue for a long time. I am very happy to have been given this chance. Thank you so much.
Judge's comment
I thought the style and composition of this work were both top class among this group of works. While most Digimon design drawings are in the style of American comic books, I found it refreshing to see them drawn with a touch of ink painting. It was a very nice and smiling work that also shows the relationship between Gammamon and Monmon.
-Mr. Kenji Watanabe
Numemon in the marsh
by Yuki Mukai
Winners' comments
I am greatly surprised and pleased that my work was chosen out of so many works. I am very glad that I have the courage to participate in the contest. Thank you very much.
Judge's comment
I feel like Numemon are the ones who end up thinking they're cute, but this illustration is not nightmare in all its glory! I can almost hear the sounds, the depth of the seemingly endless line of trees beyond, and the colors are wonderful.
-Mr. Yosuke Kinoshita
Fallen
by Spaceribs
Winners' comments
Thank you very much for selecting us. I am very honored. The process of filling the screen with evilness and mischief was very interesting, and I enjoyed drawing it from beginning to end. I am happy if you could feel the dark coolness of Devimon.
Judge's comment
The jury members all praised the dynamic angle of this work, which looks up at the viewer, an angle rarely seen before. The work's distinctive use of colors brings out the character in this illustration of Devimon, which tends to be dark.
-Mr. Makoto Takahashi
3 Seconds Before Launch
by Atarime
Winners' comments
Thank you very much for awarding me a prize in the Digimon Illustration Competition. This work was the culmination of my studies as professional training college, and I created it to bring excitement to those who see it, both in the cards and the illustrations. I would like to make use of the experience I gained from this competition and continue to work even harder in the future.
Judge's comment
Machinedramon is a good illustration with a powerful composition and perspective, as many works depict the moment when the Infinity Cannon is fired. It is very cool, for example, the expression of light in the dark underground passage.
-Mr. Kenji Watanabe
Then we finish with the Judges' Special Prize selections.
Agumon Evolutiohn!!!
by ryotaro nozaki
Winners' comments
Thank you for the Judges’ Special Prize. I am very honored! In order to portray my favorite Agumon in the coolest way, I drew him moving forward strongly. I will strive to evolve myself, one step at a time!
Judge's comment
I felt that Agumon is a work that captures the imagination of the viewer as well as the brave and dynamic spirit of Agumon. This is one piece that I feel will evolve and the battles will become even more intense in the years to come.
-Mr. Makoto Takahashi
Gammamon Evolution!
by Shiki Nakura
Winners' comments
I have loved Digimon since I was a child and have been exposed to Digimon in many different ways. I am very honored to have been given this opportunity. I look forward to seeing the new world of Digimon expand in the future.
Judge's comment
By laying out Gammamon and its background with BetelGammamon, KausGammamon, and WezenGammamon, the illustration is gorgeous, showing both growth and maturity stages at the same time. The facial expressions are well drawn, and the work captures the character's features very well.
-Digimon Ghost Game Production Staff
Lurker in the Night
by Josh Floyd
Winners' comments
I’m so thankful for this opportunity. Digimon has been a huge inspiration for me, both growing up and in my professional career. I’m honored to be selected as a winner with this group of incredibly talented artists.
Judge's comment
This work's charm is the coloring contrasts with the fallen angel, and the unique atmosphere.In the figure of Devimon standing there, the I also sensed the intelligence and feelings that are inherent to possess.
Mr. Masashi Harada
Trampling down!: Ultimate Machine Digimon
by ichigoni
Winners' comments
Thank you for the Judges’ Special Prize! When I received the award, I remembered the thrill I felt when I first faced Mugendramon in DIGIMONWORLD. I will continue to devote myself to drawing pictures that make someone else thrilled!
Judge's comment
I have the coolness of a full-blown battle to recommend it! The powerful layout is perfect, the details are solid, and the light and dark conditions are well defined. I think this is a wonderful piece that allows the viewer to visualize the front and rear movements.
-Mr. Yosuke Kinoshita
smoke and dark
by J.TANAKA
Winners' comments
Thank you very much for selecting my work for the Judges’ Special Prize. Although the rules and design have changed dramatically from the Digimon cards that I was fascinated with as a child, I am deeply moved by the fact that they are still enthralling little kids as they were when I was a child.
Judge's comment
Machine Digimon's massive appearance is expressed in a cool manner with an analog touch, and we appreciate the composition and layout, including the compositional skills of the artist.
-Digimon Card Game R&D Team
Congratulation to the winners, I'm sure the cards will all be in very high demand.
The art theme is 'Digimon's Cool or Cute Scenes'
The judges were:
Kenji Watanabe, longtime Digimon designer and artist
Masashi Harada, Bandai Co., Digimon Project Leader
Makoto Takahashi, Bandai Co., Card Business Division General Manager
Digimon Card Game R&D Team (unspecified members)
Yosuke Kinoshita, Digimon Movie Producer
Digimon Ghost Game Production Staff (unspecified members)
Really fantastic art all around. The entire 1st round of results can be found
here.
